Dispenser pack of individual adhesive bandages



DCC- 20, 1960 P. SCHLADERMUNDT ETAL 2,965,223

DISPENSER PACK DE INDIVIDUAL ADHESIVE BANDAGEs Original Filed May 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l Q t." u v' ze? Le;

EH- /4 /0 f7 2v zajwwgl 3g f l v n z 28a a /3 /0 7a 20a /4 Z5 52 $40@ C14/a Dec. 20, 1960 P. scHLADERMUNDT ETAL 2,965,223

DISPENSER PACK 0F' INDIVIDUAL ADHESIVE BANDAGES Original Filed May 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSI P5722 .527/4 ADEPML/MUT United States Patent yO i DISPENSER PACK OF INDIVIDUAL ADHESIVE BAN DAGES Peter Schladermundt, Bronxville, and William H. Dennerlein, Bethpage, N.Y., and Langdon S. Simons, Jr., Medina, Wash., assgnors to Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Original application May 2, 1956, Ser. No. 582,287. Divided and this application Oct. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 768,716

18 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) The present invention relates to a dispenser pack of individual bandages of the type having a flexible backing coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and the present application is a division of abandoned application Serial No. 582,287, filed May 2, 1956. Such an adhesive bandage may consist of a simple strip of adhesive tape or may be`of the dressing type, in whIch an absorbent compress or pad is aflixed to the flexble adhesively coated backing to expose the adhesive on the parts of the backing beyond the pad. An adhesive bandage of this dressing type may take the form, for example, of strip, patch, spot or so-called middle wound bandage.

One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved dispensing container having a pack of individually packaged adhesive bandage units so assembled thereon as to permit the easy withdrawal successively of the adhesive bandages from their wrappers in the pack, without the lingers of the withdrawing hand or hands coming into contact with the adhesive bandages as they are exposed.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container having a pack of indivfdually packaged adhesive bandage units assembled thereon in such manner as to permit the adhesive bandages to be removed successively frorn their wrappers, while retaining the empty wrappers on the container, and while permitting these empty wrappers to be moved clear of the full wrappers.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective of one form of adhesive bandage package unit which can be packed in accordance with the present invention and which is shown with the linger tabs at one end spread apart in the process of being opened to withdraw the adhesive bandage therefrom;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the adhesive bandage package unit taken on lines 2 2 of Fig. 1 but shown on a larger scale with the different thicknesses exaggerated;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the adhesive bandage package unit taken on lines 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the adhesive bandage package unit taken on lines 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is 4a perspective showing the wrapper in the construction of Fig. 1 in the process of being removed;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective showing the final steps of removing the last remnants of the wrapper from the adhesive bandage unit;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of another form of adhesive bandage package unit, which can be packed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of still another form of adhesive bandage package unit, which can be packed in accordance with the present invention;

,Y Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of a further form of 2,965,223 Patented Dec. 20, 1960,

ice

adhesive bandage package unit, which can be packed inl accordance with the present invention; l

Fig. 10 is a perspective of a container, which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and which in conjunction with such units constitutes an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 1l is a perspective of a container which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and which in conjunction with such units constitutes another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a perspective of a container which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Fig. 8 and which in conjunction with such units constitutes still another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a perspective of a container of the matchbook type which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Fig. 8 and which in conjunction with such units constitutes a further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a perspective of a container which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Fig. 9 and which in conjunction with such units constitutes still another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. l5 is a perspective of ya container which holds a pack of adhesive bandage package units illustrated of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and which in conjunction with such units constitutes still another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings, there is shown an adhesive bandage package unit which is covered in the aforesaid application and which is of the strip type having an absorbent compress or pad and exposed adhesive surfaces. This type of adhesive bandage package unit may be packed in accordance with the present invention, although as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, other types of adhesive bandages may be also packed pursuant to this invention, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The package unit illustrated consists essentially of an adhesive bandage 10 and an expendable wrapper 11 of flexible material therefor. The adhesive bandage 10 comprises a strip 12 of adhesive tape backing material, which may be either woven or non-woven brous material, such as extensible polyvinyl chloride film, and which may have. the usual ventilation holes. Deposited on the strip 12 is a layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive, which affords the necessary degree of adhesion for the attachment of the dressing thereto. A dressing pad 14, composed preferably of suitably folded woven or non-woven fabric, paper-'or other absorbent material, is placed on and secured'to the adhesive layer 13. This dressing pad 14 is slightly narrower than the adhesive strip 12 and much shorter, and is centered on the adhesive strip to form exposed tape end sections 16 and 17 of adhesive beyond the ends of the pad.

The wrapper 11 individually packages the adhesive bandage 10, so that after sterilization, said bandage will remain sterile. For that purpose, this wrapper 11 comprises a long wrapper sheet 20 extending along opposite faces of the adhesive bandage 10 and a shorter wrapper sheet 21 extending around one end of the adhesive bandage to form with said bandage end a finger tab 22 for the purpose to be described and detachably secured to the wrapper sheet 20 to define therewith an envelope for the adhesive bandage. I

The specific materials from which the different components of the adhesive bandage package unit are made are preferably those described in U.S. Patent No. 2,708,- 083. That patent discloses a facing member which serves as protection for the adhesive surface of the bandage and which is smooth and continuous and constituted of organic material substantially inert with respect to the adhesive. This type of facing member serves to ,develop substantially the 'full Sticking powers of the adhesive to which itis protectively applied. Materials proposed for that purpose in the aforesaid patent are vinyl chloride resins and copolymers thereof with vinyl acetate and vinylidene chloride, cellulose acetate, cellophane, epoxy resins, etc. and also resins which may be employed as coatings. These materials are also suitable to form for the purpose of the Vpresent invention the wrapper sheets '20 and 21 juxtaposed to the adhesive side of the adhesive bandage ,10 to serve also as protective facing members therefor.

The longer wrappersheet 20'has a projecting free end section 24 serving `aspart of a tinger tab 41, a contiguous section 25, a section 26 adhesively secured to part of the exposed tape end section 16 by the layer 13 of pressuresensitive adhesive thereon, a section 27 extending along and covering the pad 14, a section 28 adhesively secured to the exposed tape end section 17 by the layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon, a at section 29 reversely folded back along a fold line 30 from the line of sheet sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 and extending along and against the back of the adhesive bandage along the strip 12 thereof and an end section 31 offset along a fold line 32 outwardly from said wrapper section 29 at an acute angle therewith.

The shorter wrapper sheet 21 has a section 33 with an offset end portion 34 lapped to the olset end section 31 of the Wrapper sheet 20 and secured thereto in the manner to be described to form a breakable projecting juncture or seam 35 therewith. This shorter wrapper sheet 21 is reversely folded along a fold line 36 and reversely folded inwardly along a fold line 37 to deine two overlapping contiguous sections or folds 38 and 39, with the section 38 in lapping contact with the section 25 of the wrapper sheet'20 and with the inwardly folded end section 39 secured to theend portion of the tape end section 16 of the adhesive bandage by the layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive on said tape end section. The section 25 of the wrapper sheet 20 is attached to the section 38 ofthe wrapper sheet 21 by a breakable seal line -40 of adhesive or heat-seal extending transversely thereof. The projecting end section 24 of the wrapper sheet 20 -and the part of the contiguous section 25 outwardly beyond the transverse 'seal 40 conjointly form the finger holding tab 41, and the wrapper sheet 21 with the end section of the adhesive bandage 10 enclosed between the folds thereof form the finger pulling tab 22.

The two wrapper sheets 20 and 21 are wider than the adhesive bandage 10 fand are transversely vcentered with respect thereto, so that the longitudinal sides of these sheets extend beyond the longitudinal sides of the adhesive bandage. To connect the different fold sections of the wrapper sheet 20 together to form part of an enclosing sealing envelope for the adhesive bandage 10, the sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 on one side of the adhesive bandage up to the transverse seal 40 are secured to the section 29 of the wrapper sheet 20 on the opposite side of the adhesive bandage along their longitudinal confronting margins beyond the longitudinal sides of the adhesive bandage, to form va longitudinal marginal breakable seam 43. Similarly, the longitudinal margins of the sections 33 and 38 of the wrapper sheet 21 on opposite sides of the end section of the adhesive bandage 10 it encloses, and beyond the longitudinal sides of said end bandage section, are secured together substantially up tothe transverse iseal 49 -to .form a longitudinal marginal breakable seam 45 which is a substantial continuation of theilongitudinal :seam v43. Ihe intervening Asection 39 of -the :wrapper sheetll ispreferably narrower than .the

flanking sections 33 and 38 and coextensive in width with the adhesive bandage 10, to permit the longitudinal margins of these sections 33 and 38 to come together in face contact to form the seam 45. The section 38 of the wrapper sheet 21 inwardly beyond the transverse seal 40 up to the fold line 37 is of corresponding reduced width to permit the vmarginal parts of the section 25 of the wrapper sheet 20 to come in contact with the opposed marginal parts of the section 29 of the wrapper sheet 20.inwardly of the seam 35 to form continuations of the marginal seam 43,

The character of the means employed to form the different breakable junctures 35, 40, 43 and 45 depends on the character of the wrapper sheets 26 and 21. If these wrapper sheets 20 and 21 are of `thermoplastic material, then these junctures 35, 40, 43 and 45 may be made by heat-sealing, strong enough to seal and to protect the sterility of the adhesive bandage 10 but weak enough to permit the opposed sections of the Awrapper 11 along these junctures to separate upon pulling action, without tearing the wrapper. if the wrapper material is not thermoplastic, or even if thermoplastic, these junctures 35, 40, 43 and 45 may be formed with adhesive of a character which seals and protects the sterility of the adhesive bandage 10 but which nevertheless assures the smooth, easy, orderly removal of the wrapper 11 by peeling operation, in a manner to be described, without tearing the wrapper.

The adhesive bandage package unit, formed as described, is sterilized either by chemical sterilization or by steam sterilization 4in a manner well-known in t-he adhesive bandage art. The materials employed in forming this package unit will effectively withstand the thermal conditions of both types of sterilization. The adhesive bandage package unit, will maintain its sterility, until the package unit is opened.

The finger tabs 22 and 41 are exposed and are marked as shown in Fig. 1 to facilitate explanation of their functions and the manner in which they can be manipulated to Yeffect the withdrawal of the adhesive bandage it) from the wrapper 11. The withdrawal of the adhesive bandage 10 from the wrapper 11 is illustrated and described as if the package unit were not part of a pack in order to facilitate understanding of its construction and operation.

To effect withdrawal of the adhesive bandage 16 from the wrapper 11, the tab 41 is held by the fingers of one hand, while the other tab 22 is grasped by the fingers of the other hand and pulled to break the transverse seal 40. Thereafter, continued pull on the finger tab 22 while the tab 41 is being held causes the marginal seam 43 to open up progressively and gradually by a peeling action and at the same time causes the adhesive bandage 10 to peel away from the sections 26, 27 and 28 of the wrapper sheet 20 by a balanced operation, which does not fold or curl the adhesive bandage, as shown in Fig. 5.

After the tab 41 has been pulled to the extent of releasing the adhesive bandage 1t) completely from the sections 26, 27 and 23 of the wrapper sheet 20 and while these sheet sections are aligned with the section 29 of the wrapper sheet, continued pull on the tab $1 length wise of the wrap-per sheet 2% will cause said sheet to pull away from the wrapper sheet 21 at the seam 35 until the wrapper sheet 20 is completely removed from the wrapper sheet 21. At this stage, the ngers of one hand continue to hold the adhesive bandage 10 through the nger tab 22, so that the adhesive bandage can be applied through the substantial large area of adhesive on said bandage exposed to the skin yor surface affected, without the fingers coming into contact with the bandage. After the adhesive bandage 10 has been applied to the affected skin or surface except for the end carrying the nger tab 22, the offset end portion 34 of the wrapper sheet 21 serving as a tab is pulled to progressively open lup the seam 45, :until the lend A.portion .of .this V.wrapper section is aligned with the wrapper section 38 as shown in Fig. 6, whereupon continued pull on this end section longitudinally peels the wrapper section 39 from the end portion of the adhesive section 16 of the adhesive bandage 10. With the wrapper 11 completely removed from the adhesive bandage 10, and the adhesive bandage partially applied, the unapplied part thereof can be pressed down on the affected skin or surface to complete the application to the skin or surface.

The construction of Fig. 7 is similar to that of Figs. 1 to 6, except as otherwise indicated. In this construction of Fig. 7, the wrapper 11a for the adhesive bandage comprises two wrapper sheets 20a and 21a. The wrapper sheet 20a has sections 24a, 25a, 26a, 27a and 28a corresponding to the sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 respectively of the wrapper 20 in the construction of Figs. 1 to 6 and similarly attached to the face of the adhesive bandage 10. The wrapper sheet 21a, however, extends along the full length of the back of the strip 12 and is secured at one end to one end of the wrapper sheet 20a beyond the corresponding end of the adhesive bandage 10 by means of heat-sealing or adhesive of the character described in connection with the construction of Figs. 1 to 6, to form an end transverse seam 46. At the other end, the wrapper sheet 21a has a Section 38a folded inwardly along the fold line 36a and a contiguous section 39a folded inwardly along the fold line 37a. These two wrapper sections 38a and 39a overlap with the section 38a in lapping contact with the section 25a of the wrap` per sheet 26a and with the inwardly folded end section 39a attached to the end portion of the tape end section 16 of the adhesive bandage 19 by the layer 13 of pressure-sensitive adhesive on said tape end section.

The two wrapper sheets 20a and 21a are secured together along the longitudinal margins beyond the side edges of the adhesive bandage 10 up to the end transverse end seam 46 by heat-sealing or adhesive of the character described in connection with the construction of Figs. l to 6, to form a seam corresponding to the marginal seam 43 in the construction of Figs. l to 6.

The section 25a of the wrapper sheet 20a is secured to the section 38a of the wrapper sheet 21a along a strip area by similar heat-sealing or adhesive to form a transverse breekable seal 40a, and the longitudinal projecting margins of the sections 29a and 38a of the wrapper sheet 21a are similarly secured together along their longitudinal margins to form a marginal seam corresponding to the marginal seam 45 in the construction of Figs. 1 to 6, the intervening fold section 39a ofthe wrapper sheet 21a being reduced in width to permit the margins of said sheet sections 29a and 38a to come together into face contact to form the seam described.

The two wrapper sheets 20a and 21a, secured together as described, define at one end a holding linger tab 41a and a pulling linger tab 22a corresponding to the finger tabs 41 and 22 respectively in the construction of Figs. l to 6.

In withdrawing the adhesive bandage 10 from the Wrapper 11a in the construction of Fig. 7, the finger tab 41a is held by the fingers of one hand, while the tab 22a in the lingers of the other hand is pulled to open up progressively the marginal seam 43a and to peel the adhesive bandage away from the wrapper sheet 20a, until the end transverse seam 46 is reached, whereupon further pull opens up this end seam and eliects complete detachment of the wrapper sheet 20a from the package unit. With the lingers of o-ne hand holding the tab 22a, the partially exposed adhesive bandage 10 is applied to the affected skin or surface except at the covered end near the tab 22u, and the wrapper sheet 21a is then pulled to peel off the folded end section 39a of the wrapper sheet 21a from the covered end section of the bandage.' With the wrapper sheet 21a completely removed from the adhesive bandage 10, the vend section of the bandage last exposed can be pressed down on the affected skin or surface to complete the application of the bandage.

The construction of Fig. 8 is similar to that of Figs. 1 to 6, the only difference being that the wrapper sheet 20h corresponding to the wrapper sheet 20 in the construction of Figs. 1 to 6, instead of having an end section of said wrapper sheet corresponding to the end section 24 in Figs. l to 6, projecting longitudinally to form part of the holding linger tab, has its end section 24b folded inwardly along the fold line 50 and attached to the section 38b of the wrapper sheet 2lb by heat-sealing o-r adhesive of the character described in connection with the construc tion of Figs. 1 to 6, to form the breakable end transverse seal 4% and to define the finger tabs 22b and 41h outwardly beyond said seal. The marginal longitudinal seams in the wrapper sheets Zilb and 2lb, to form an envelope for the adhesive bandage 10, are similar to those in the constructions of Figs. 1 to 6, except that at the end of the package unit near the finger tabs 22b and 41b, the margins of the section 33b of the wrapper sheet 2lb are secured by heat-sealing or adhesive of the character described to the margins of the section 3817 of the wrapper sheet 2lb outwardly beyond the transverse seal 4Gb, while the margins of the outer fold of the section 25h of the wrapper sheet 2Gb inwardly of the transverse seal 4Gb are similarly secured to the margins of the section 29b of the wrapper sheet Zlib.

The wrapper sheet 20h is folded along the fold line 30h at one end of the adhesive bandage 10, as in the constructions of Figs. 1 to 7, to divide the sheet into panels 24b, 25h, 26h, 27b, 23h and panel 2% on opposite sides of the adhesive bandage.

The package unit of Fig. 8 may be opened as described in connection with the package unit of Figs. l to 6.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment similar to that of Figs. 1 to 6 and similar to that of Fig. 8, the only difference being that the wrapper sheet 20c, instead of presenting a single layer alo-ng the entire front face of the adhesive bandage 10 to form a facing member therefor, has its front part doubly folded along a fold line 51 to form two overlapping main sections 52 and 53, the inner section 52 serving as a facing member for the adhesive bandage, while the outer section 53 forms merely an outer wrapper member. At one end of the package unit, the two wrap per sheets 20c and 21C define finger tabs 22e` and 41a` similar to those in the construction of Fig. 8, the infolded end section 24C of the finger tab 41C being secured to the section 38C of the linger tab 22e by a breakable transverse seal 40C. At the opposite end of the package unit, the wrapper sheet 20c is folded along the line 30e to define the wrapper section 29e along the back -of the adhesive strip 12.

The package unit of Fig. 9 may be opened as described in connection with the package unit of Figs. 1 to 6.

The invention has been shown in Figs. l to 9 applied to a form of adhesive bandage containing an elongated rectangular strip of adhesive to which is affixed an absorbent rectangular pad or compress. However, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, the invention may be applied to adhesive bandages of other shapes. For example, it can be applied to a so-called patch type of adhesive bandage, in which a square piece of backing material coated with adhesive has a square absorbent pad in the center or to a so-called spot type of adhesive bandage in which a round piece of backing material coated with adhesive has a round absorbent pad in the center, or to a so-called middle wound type of bandage in which a comparatively large piece of gauze in the form of a pad has connected thereacross one or more strips of adhesive tape projecting beyond the gauze.

Also, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, the adhesive bandage protected and wrapped in accordance with the present invention may consist simply of a piece of adhesive tape without an absorbent pad, such as thel pad 14. Y

Figs. to 15 .show the manner in which the package units of Figs. 1 to 9 ymay be packed in a dispensing container in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 10 shows a type of container 59 illustrated in connection with the package units of Figs. 1 to 6, although it is apparent that the container is adaptable with the other types of package units described. In this embodiment of Fig. 10 the container 59 (preferably made of stiff sheet material such as cardboard, leather or plastic) is in the form of an open frame and comprises a rear cover 60 having an end section 61 folded rectangularly in relation to said rear cover to form a top defining a pocket 62 to receive one end of the pack of package units 63 of Figs. l to 6. The cover 60 has a strap 64 near the bottom on the inside preferably of elastic material to receive the empty wrappers as the adhesive bandages are successively removed therefrom to keep them clear of the full package units.

The package units 63 of Figs. 1 to 6 are arranged in a pack with the tab ends 22 and 41 at the top, and the projecting end sections 24 of the wrapper sheets 20 extending in-to the frame pocket 62 are secured together and to the top 61 of the cover 60 by a staple 65. The package units 63 will thereby hang down from the top 61 of the cover 60 by the projecting tab sections 24 with the wrapper sections 29 of the Wrapper sheets 20 facing rearwardly towards the cover.

The container 59, loaded as described, may be ernployed as a portable device, or may be supported or attached to a wall in any suitable manner for easy dispensing operations.

The adhesive bandages 10 are removed successively from their respective wrappers 11 from the rear towards the front. For that purpose, when an adhesive bandage 10 is desired, the cover 60 is raised to dot and dash position shown (in case the container is portable) or the pack is lifted away from the cover 60 (in case the container is attached to a wall) with said cover against said wall, and the linger tab 22 of the rearmost package unit 63 is grasped by the fingers of one hand and pulled down, while the end tab section 24 of the wrapper sheet 20 of said unit is held by the staple 65. This action causes the adhesive bandage 10 to peel away from the wrapper sheet 2t) and eventually causes the adhesive bandage to be entirely removed from the wrapper sheet 20, while the empty wrapper 20 remains on the container 59 and while the adhesive bandage retains the wrapper sheet 21 forming the nger tab 22. The adhesive bandage 10 can then be partially applied to the affected skin or surface, while held through the linger tab 22, and the wrapper sheet 21 removed in the manner described in connection with the construction of Figs. 1 to 6, to permit the completion of the application ofthe adhesive bandage.

The empty wrapper sheet 20, folded approximately Aalong the line 30 and retained on the container staple 65, may be stored out of the way of the next full package unit 63 by slipping it under the strap 64 of the cover 60. All subsequent empty wrapper sheets v20 may be similarly stored to permit easy access to the next full package unit 63.

Instead of arranging the pack of package units for the successive dispensation of the adhesive bandages 10 .therefrom from the rear to the front, as in the construction of Fig. 10, the pack may be reversely varranged to allow the adhesive bandages to be dispensed successively from the front towards the rear. In that case, vsomeother means `is preferably provided, other than that shown in Fig. l0, to store the empty wrapper sheets clear of the full package unit. Fig. 11 shows a suitable container for that purpose. In this construction, the container comprises a iiat back 70 of rigid material suitable for support on .a wall. Afxed to the upper part o'f this back 70 is a bracket 71 in the form of a at wide U-shaped member having side arms 72 with reduced :ends passing through said back and upset thereagainst for rigid anchor-age, and an :interconnecting cross-piece 7.3 spaced from said back by a gap 74 serving the purpose to be described. The pack of package units 63, similar to those of Figs. 1 to 6, are supported on this bracket 71 and suspended therefrom in any suitable manner. These package units 63 are arranged in upright position with their tab ends upward and with the linger tab 22 of each package unit in front `and the holding tab 41 of the package unit in back.

For supporting the package units 63 in a pack from the bracket 71 in the manner described, the bracket cross-piece '73 may have an opening through which the projecting end sections 24 of the wrapper sheets 20 of the package units 63 extend, and pins, a key, a staple or similar device passing through said projecting wrapper sections may seat on said bracket cross-piece for the support of said package units.

For removing an adhesive bandage 10 from its wrapper 11, the linger tab 22, which is exposed and easily access- `ible at the top in front just below the bracket 71, is pulled down while the tab 41 is held by the bracket. This op eration serves to peel the adhesive bandage 10 away from the sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 olf the wrap-per sheet 20. Continued pulling action on the tab 22 is transmitted to the section 29 of the wrapper sheet 20 and serves to separate completely the adhesive bandage 10 from the wrapper sheet 20 which remains supported on the bracket 71. The released adhesive bandage 10 held by the fingers of the hand through the tab 22 may be applied to the affected skin or surface and the wrapper sheet 21 defining said tab peeled off the ban-dage, as already described in connection with the construction of Figs. 1 to 6. The empty wrapper sheet 20 is folded back and slipped through the gap 74 between the bracket cross-piece 73 and the back and against said back, to clear the next full package unit and render it easily accessible for the withdrawal of the adhesive bandage 10 therefrom.

Fig. 12 shows a modified form of dispensing container adapted particularly for use in connection with the package units of Figs. 8 and 9. The container is illustrated in connection with the form of package unit shown in Fig. 8 and comprises a back 81 of rigid material adapted to be .supported from a suitable wall. The package units 80 are arranged as a pack with their tab ends at the bottom and with the tab 41b of each package unit in front and the tab 22b of the unit in the back. The pack is supported from the back 81 by a staple -82 passing through the parts of the wrapper sheets 2Gb between the fold lines 3017 and the adjacent ends of the adhesive bandages 10.

The adhesive bandage 19 may be conveniently withdrawn successively from the wrappers from the front to the back. For that purpose, while the tab 41h of the front package unit is held downward by the fingers of one hand, the tab '22h of said front unit is pulled rearwardly by the ngers of the other hand to peel the front sections 25h, 26h, 271'; and 28h of the wrapper sheet 20b from the adhesive side of the adhesive bandage 10. After wrapper sections 25h, 261i, 27b and 28h have been so removed from the adhesive bandage 10, the tab 2lb is pulled down, thereby separating the wrapper sheet 2lb from the wrapper sheet 20b and withdrawing the adhesive bandage completely away from the wrapper sheet 20h. The empty wrapper Zi'b remains suspended from the back 8-1 through the staple 82, while the adhesive bandage is retained'through the tab 2219 by the lingers of one hand. The adhesive bandage 16 can then be applied to the affected skin or surface and the wrapper sheet 2111 removed, in the manner already described.

The empty -wrappers 2011 may be left hanging from the staple 82 on .the back 81 or may be stored clear of the full package units 80. in the manner similar to that shown in connection with the constructions of Figs. `l0 and 11.

Fig. 13 ,fshows Va portable container for holding Athe package units of the constructions of Figs. 1 to 9. The container Vis particularly adaptable Ifor use in connection `ing on the tab 22e` lengthwise.

assegna 9 with the package units shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and is illustrated specifically in connection with the package unit 80 of Fig. 8.

The container of Figs. 13 is of the matchbook type and comprises a single sheet 85 of comparatively stift material such as cardboard, leather or plastic, folded around the pack to form a case or folder therefor and having an end pocket section 86 which straddles the end of the pack opposite tne tab end and which is secured thereto by a staple 87 passing through the parts of the wrapper sheet 20b between the fold lines 3011 and the adjacent ends of the adhesive bandage 10. In closed position of the container, the free end 88 of the sheet 85 is slipped under the opposite end of the sheet to be frictionally retained thereby. The adhesive bandages may be withdrawn successively from their respective wrapper on the container of Fig. 13, while the empty wrapper sheets 2lb remain behind on the container, in the manner described in connection with the container of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 shows a portable container, which is similar to that of Fig. 13, to receive package units, such as the package units 90 of Fig. 9. This container comprises a single sheet 91 of comparatively stiff material, such as cardboard, leather or plastic, folded around the pack to form a case or folder therefor and having an end pocket section 92 straddling the end of the pack opposite the tab end. This container end pocket section 92 is secured to the pack of package units 90 by a staple 93 passing through the parts of the wrapper sheet c between the fold line 30C and the adjacent ends of the `adhesive bandage 10. The sheet 91 is folded to form in addition to this straddling end pocket section 92 a back .94 and a front cover fiap section 95, the free end of which is adapted to be slipped underneath the edge of the stapled down end section 92 in the closed' position of the container.

For storing the empty wrapper 20c, the back 94 of the -container has on its inside near the outer end a strap 96 of elastic material under which the empty wrapper sheets 20c may be tucked.

The package units 90 are arranged in the container of Fig. 14 with the tab 41e of each package unit in front and the tab 22C behind. In the operation of withdrawing the adhesive bandages 1t) from their wrappers successively, the rearmost package unit 90 is opened first, the order of withdrawal being frontwise. In accordance with one procedure of this operation, the tab 22C is held by the fingers of one hand, while the tab 41e` is grasped by the fingers of the other hand and pulled frontwise away from the tab 22e, to peel the section 52 of the wrapper sheet 20c away from the adhesive bandage 10. At this stage of the operation, the tab 22e is pulled to break the sealed juncture between the wrapper sheets 20c and 21e` and to separate thereby the wrapper sheet 20c from the wrapper sheet 21C forming part of the tab 22C. This effects complete separation of the adhesive bandage 10 from the wrapper sheet 20c, while said wrapper sheet remains attached to the container by the staple 93.

As an alternative procedure, the two tabs 22a` and 41e are grasped by the fingers of the two hands and pulled apart lateral to the planes ofsaid tabs to break the transverse seal 40C or this seal may be broken by merely pull- After this seal 40C has been so broken, the tab 22e is pulled lengthwise of the package unit 90, to break the sealed juncture between the wrapper sheets 20c and 21C across their offset confronting ends and to separate thereby these sheets. Continued pull on the tab 22e in this direction will correspondingly pull the adhesive bandage 10 lengthwise and cause the bandage to peel neatly and lengthwise away from the section 52 of the wrapper sheet 20c while said 'section 52 unfolds, until the adhesive bandage with the wrapper sheet 21c attached thereto in the form of tab 22e` is completely withdrawn from the wrapper sheet 20c, while said wrapper sheet 20c remains attached to the container by the staples 93.

The adhesive bandage 10, separated from the wrapper sheet 20c by either procedure described, may be applied and the wrapper sheet 21e removed from said bandage in the manner described. The sections 53 and 29C of the empty wrapper sheet 21e remain on the container along its back 94, while the section 52 of said wrapper sheet is extended along the inside of the cover flap section of the container and tucked under the strap 96 to store the empty wrapper section 52 clear of subsequent full package units in front of said empty wrapper section 52. All of the empty wrapper sections 52 can be similarly stored, until the last adhesive bandage 10 from the last package unit 90 in front is Withdrawn.

Fig. 15 shows a modified form of container adaptable, for example,'for use in connection with the form of package unit 63 illustrated in Figs. l to 6. This form of container is constructed from a single sheet of fiexible material, such as leather or textile fabric, folded to form a back 100, a front cover 101 connected to one end of the back by a fold line 102 and a pocket 103 at the other end of the back to receive the free end of said cover in closed position of the container. Connected to the inside of the front cover 101 near its free end is a strap 104 for storing the empty wrappers 20 thereunder. At one end near the fold line 102, a tab 105 preferably cut out from the back` is provided with a hole 106 to receive a nail or similar member by which the container vmay beV supported from a wall.

The package units 63 similar to those of Figs. 1 to 6, are arranged in a peck, with their tab ends nearest the fold line 102 of the container and with the finger tab 22 of each package un.t in front and the holding tab 41 of the prckrge unit in the back. A staple 107 passes through the upper end of the cover 101 and the stack of projecting end sections 24 of the wrapper sheets 20 defining the holding tabs 41.

The withdrawals of the adhesive bandages 10 successively from their wrappers 11 are effected from front to back in the manner described in connection with the construction of Fig. l1. The empty wrapper sheets 20, however, are tucked underneath the strap 104 of the cover 101 to keep them clear of the full package units 63.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a pack of adhesive bandage package units, each of said units comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface, a wrapper enclosing the adhesive bandage comprising a pair of wrapper sheets, one of said wrapper sheets having a section wrapped around a section of the adhesive bandage and removably attached to the adhesive bandage to form with said adhesive bandage section a tab by which the adhesive bandage with said one wrapper sheet attached may be withdrawn from the other wrapper sheet, and breakable juncture means connecting said wrapper sheets together, and a container for said pack having means securing said package units thereto through the other wrapper sheets, with said tabs accessible to permit the adhesive bandages to be withdrawn successively from their said other Wrapper sheets respectively with their said one wrapper sheets respectively attached thereto by pulling manipulations of their corresponding tabs, while said other wrapper sheets which have been emptied remain secured to said container.

2. In combination, a pack of adhesive bandage pack- Iage units, each of said units comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising a pair ef wrapper sheets, @ne of said. Wrapper-,Sheets having a ksection folded and wrapped around an end section of the adhesive bandage and removably attached to said adhesive surface to form with said end section of the adhesive bandage a tab by which the adhesive bandage with said one wrapper sheet attached may be withdrawn from the other Wrapper sheet, and breakable juncture means connecting said wrapper sheets together, the other wrapper sheet having a tab section adjacent to and facing said tab, and a container for said pack of package units having means securing the tab sections to said container, while rendering said tabs successively accessible, to permit the adhesive bandages to be withdrawn successively from their said other wrapper sheets respectively by pulling manipulation of said tabs, while said other wrapper sheets which have been emptied remain secured through their tab sections to said container.

3. The combination as described in claim 2, wherein said container presents a rear cover and an upper pocket end section, wherein package units are arranged in the pack with the tab of each package unit in the rear of the package nnit and the tab section in the front, and wherein the tab sections of the package units extend into the pocket end section of the container and are fastened to said pocket end section by said securing means whereby the adhesive bandages may be Withdrawn from their said other wrapper sheets successively from the rear to the front of the pack.

4. The combination as described in claim 2, wherein said container comprises a back and said securing means comprises a U-shaped bracket fastened to the upper end of the back and forming with the back a gap throtwh which said other wrapper sheets when emptied may be folded Aover to extend along the back clear of the full package units, wherein the package units in the pack are arranged with the tab of each package unit in front of the tab ysection of the latter package unit, and wherein the tab sections of the package units are secured to said bracket, whereby the adhesive bandages may be withdrawn from their said other wrapper sheets successively from front to the rear of the pack.

5. The combination as described in claim 2, wherein said container comprises a single sheet of flexible material, folded to form a back member and a front cover member connected to one end of the back member by a fold line, wherein said pack is arranged between said 'back member and said cover member with said tab sections near said fold line, and wherein said securing means comprises a staple passing through said tab sections and one of said container members.

6. In combination, a pack of adhesive bandage units, each of said package units comprising an adhesive bandage including an adhesive tape presenting an adhesive surface, a wrapper for the adhesive bandage comprising a pair of wrapper sheets, one of said wrapper sheets havf ing a section wrapped around one end of the adhesive bandage and removably attached to the adhesive bandage to form with the adhesive bandage end a tab by which the adhesive bandage with said one wrapper sheet attached may be withdrawn from the other wrapper sheet, the other Wrapper sheet having a section forming a tab adjacent to the first-mentioned tab, and breakable juncture means connecting said wrapper sheets together and adapted to be broken when said sheets are pulled apart through said tabs, said other wrapper sheet extending along opposite faces of the adhesive bandage and Vhaving a section at the other end of the adhesive bandage pro'- jecting outwardly beyond the latter end and a container for said pack having means securing said pack thereto by means fastened to said projecting sections of said other wrapper sheets While rendering said tabs accessible for manipulation, whereby the adhesive bandages may be withdrawn successively from said other wrapper sheets by manipulation of said tabs, while said other wrapper sheets which have been emptied remain on said container by said securing` means.

7. The combination as described in claim 6, wherein said container comprises a back and wherein the pack of package units are stapled at one end to said back through said projecting sections of said other wrapper sheets.

8. In combination, a pack of adhesive bandage units, each of said units comprising an adhesive bandage and a wrapper enclosing the adhesive bandage, and a container securing the pack of package units together for successive dispensation, said wrapper comprising two separable sections, one section being secured to the container, the other section being attached to the enclosed adhesive bandage, whereby said other wrapper section with the attached bandage package may be withdrawn and separated from said one wrapper section and from the container to open up the wrapper, while said one wrapper section remains secured to said container.

9. The combination as described in claim 8, wherein said other wrapper section attached to the enclosed adhesive bandage forms with the enclosed adhesive bandage a tab manipulable to permit the adhesive bandage and the latter wrapper section to be withdrawn and separated from the wrapper section secured to the container.

10. The combination as described in claim 8, wherein said container comprises means for storing the empty wrapper sections secured to the container clear of the full package units.

11. The combination as described in claim 8, wherein said container comprises a cover and means for storing and holding the empty wrapper sections secured to the container against said cover and clear of the full package units.

l2. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said container comprises a sheet folded to form a cover and lan end pocket receiving the pack of package units, a part of each of the Wrapper sections secured to said container extending into and being secured to said pocket.

13. The combination as described in claim 8, wherein said container is in the form of a matchbook.

14. The combination as described in claim 8, wherein said container is in the form of a matchbook having a back member and a front cover member hinged together, and one of said members has means for Storing the wrapper sections secured to the container against the latter matchbook member after the latter wrapper sections have been emptied to keep them clear of the full Vpackage units.

l5. The combination as described in claim 8, wherein said container comprises a single sheet of tiexible material, folded to form a back, a front cover connected to one end of the back by a fold line and a pocket at the other end of the back to receive the free end of said cover in closed position of the container.

16. In combination, a pack of adhesive bandage units, each of said units comprising an adhesive bandage and a wrapper enclosing the adhesive bandage and comprising two sections extending face to face with the adhesive bandage sandwiched therebetween and with the margins of said sections extending outwardly beyond the sides of said adhesive Vbandage and connected together by breakable seams, and a container securing the pack of package .units together for successive dispensation, one of said sections being secured to the container, the other section being attached to the enclosed bandage, whereby by pulling said other wrapper section and 4said adhesive bandage together away from the wrapper section `secured to the container, said seams are broken and the wrapper is opened up, `permitting thereby access to said adhesive bandage, while the wrapper section secured to said container remains so secured.

U17. In combination, a pack of adhesive bandage units, each of said units ycomprising an adhesive bandage and a `wrapper enclosing the adhesive bandage, and a containfl YSecuring the pack of package units together for message dispensatons, said wrapper comprising a pair of separable sections face to face and sandwiching the adhesive bandage therebetween, one of said wrapper sections extending beyond one end of the adhesive bandage to form a holding tab secured to the container, the other wrapper section being attached to one end of the adhesive bandage to form a finger tab therewith, whereby said other wrapper section with the attached adhesive bandage may be pulled by said finger tab from the wrapper section secured to the container to open said wrapper while retaining the latter wrapper section secured to the container.

18. In combination, a pack of adhesive bandage units, each of said units comprising an adhesive bandage with an adhesive face and a wrapper enclosing the adhesive bandage, and a container securing the pack of package units together for successive dispensation, said wrapper comprising two separable sheet sections face to face having the bandage sandwiched therebetween, one of said sheet sections facing said adhesive face and adhering thereto through the adhesive on said face, the latter sheet section having an end projecting beyond the corresponding end of the bandage and secured to the container, the other wrapper section being attached to and forming a finger tab with the latter end of the adhesive bandage, whereby upon the pulling of said finger tab said other wrapper section with the attached adhesive bandage will be peeled olf the wrapper section secured to the container to open up the wrapper, while the latter wrapper section remains secured to said container.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,268,379 Bird Dec. 30, 1941 2,457,924 Salsberg Jan. 4, 1949 2,815,126 Deckers Dec. 3, 1957 2,866,542 Svirchev Dec. 30, 1958 

